Pipe lighter



F. E. TERRILILI.

PIPE LIGHTER Au yls, 1942.

Filed Dec. 16, 1940 INYENTOR. 72mm Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFlCE PIPE LIGHTER Franklin E. Terrill, Bay City, Mich.

Application December 16, 1940, Serial No. 370,270

13 Claims.

This invention relates to pipe lighters and more particularly to a pipelighter which can be mounted in automotive vehicles and other placeswhere suction means can be supplied.

One of the prime objects of the invention is to design a simple andpractical suction actuated pipe lighter for use in automobiles, andwhich requires but one hand to place the pipe in the holder, leaving theother hand free for steering.

Another object is to design a simple, substantial, and economical pipelighter having a vacuum chamber connected to a suction means, andprovide means for adjusting the vacuum pressure in the chamber so thatthe lighter flame can be drawn down sufiiciently to ignite the tobaccowhen the pipe is only partially filled, or ignite a so-called heel inthe pipe.

A further object is to provide a pipe lighting mechanism which isoperable from the suction pipe of an internal combustion engine, or froma vacuum pump or similar device.

A still further object is to .provide a p pe holder and lighterincluding a vacuum chamber having a suction line connected thereto,which line is automatically opened and/or closed by the insertion andremoval of the pipe from the holder.

A further object still' is to provide a pipe lighter composed ofrelatively few parts, all of simple, yet substantial, construction, andwhich can be readily manufactured and assembled.

A continuing object is to design a pipe lighter provided with anadjustable stem socket which can be adjusted to accommodate pipe stemsof various lengths, and which is also adjustable as to bowl height,together with resilient means,

automatically adjustable, for sealing the end of the .pipe stem and itsconnection tothe vacuum chamber. l

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsin the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat changes may be made in the form, size, proportion, arrangement ofparts, and minor details of construction, without departing from thespirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a part sectional, top plan view of my pipelighter, the brokenlines illustrating a pipe mounted therein and in position to be lighted.

Fig. 2 is a front end elevational View thereof. 55

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevational View of the suction chamber with theend plate removed.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view showing the position of the variousparts when the pipe bowl,

7 indicated in broken lines, is in position in the holder and thelighter ignited, the arrows indicating the direction of travel of thecap whenigniting the lighter.

Fig. 5 is a sectional side view similar to Fig. 4 and taken on the line5-5 of Fig. 1, the parts being in normal position and prior to theinsertion of a pipe.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail showing the ratcheting assembly.

Fig. '7 is an end elevational view of the adjusting plug.

Referring now to the drawing in which I have illustrated one embodimentof my invention. The numeral [2 indicates a preferably troughshapedholder, the one side being open as shown to-receive and accommodate apipe P, indicated in broken lines in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing. Avertically disposed end plate l3 forms a part of the holder and includesa resilient clip I4 and a companion clip I5 is formed integral with theholder l2, these clips yieldingly engage the bowl portion [6 of thepipe, and a bracket section l! is also provided on said panel tofacilitate securing the holder to the cowl C of an automobile (notshown) by means of bolts I8, or the holder can be secured to any otherdesired support.

A housing I9 is secured to the plate f3 by means of screws 21 and theigniting mechanism proper is mounted therein, a sleeve 22 being castintegral with said housing, and a shaft 23 is journa'led therein, a pipeengaging arm 24 being mounted on the one end of said shaft, said armengaging and being actuated by the pipe as it is placed in the holder.

A locking latch 25 (Fig. 5) is provided on the opposite end of the shaft23, and a spring 26 is mounted thereon, one end bearing against the wallof the housing IS, the opposite end being anchored to the latch forswinging it back to original position and engaging the cap section 21 ofthe holder as it is swung to closed position when the pipe is removedfrom the holder.

The housing [9 includes the movable cap section 21, shaped as clearlyshown in Fig. 5, and revolvable on the pin 28 which is journaled in theside walls of said housing, a jaw section 29 being formed integral withsaid cap and normally engages the latch 25 to hold it in closed positionuntil tripped by the pipe engaging arm 24 as the pipe is inserted in theholder.

An opening 36 is provided in the front wall of the housing l9 inalignment with the bowl opening in the pipe, and a wick nozzle 3| ismounted in said housing adjacent said opening, the free end of the wick32 projecting through said nozzle with the main body leading into a fuelchamber 33. An opening 34 communicates with the chamber 33 to facilitatethe filling thereof, and is closed by means of a screw cap 35 as usual.

The cap section 21 is spring actuated, one end of a spring 36 beinganchored in the housin 9 at the point 31, the opposite end being securedto the cap section 2! at the point 38, so that when the pipe isinserted, the arm 24 will be swung, rotating the shaft 23 to swing thelatch 25 to disengage the jaw 29, and permitting the cap to swingaccordingly.

A flint 39 forms a part of the igniting mechanism and is mounted in asuitable opening 46 provided in the housing I9, an adjusting screW 4|being threaded in the one end of the opening, and a spring 42 isinterposed between said screw and the flint, so that said flint will bespring pressed.

A toothed wheel 43 and a ratchet wheel 44 (Fig. 6) are rotatably mountedas a unit on the pin 28 at a point directly adjacent the free end of thewick 32, and a resilient dog 45 is anchored to projecting lugs 46provided in the housing, the free end of the dog engaging the toothedratchet wheel 44 so that as the cap section is swung, the wheel 43 willbe rotated with the ratchet wheel, and due to its engagement with theflint, will ignite the wick accordingly. A lip 41 is cast integral withthe cap section 21 to facilitate forcing it back to original positionwhen the pipe has been lighted, the dog 45 riding over the ratchet wheelteeth as the cap is swung back, so that there will be no movement of thewheel 43 when the cap is closed.

A cylindrical shell 48 (Fig. is mounted on an arm 49 which is in turnsecured to the movable cap 21, and this shell fits over the nozzle 3| tosmother the flame when the cap is swung to closed position, the arm 49being resilient to provide a close fit.

Slotted openings 50 (Fig. 1) are provided in the trough-shaped sectionof the holder l2, and a tapered stem socket 5| is slidably mountedtherein and is provided with a flange 52 for attachment to the casing53, bolts 54 being mounted in said stem socket and extending throughsaid slots, and nuts 55 are provided for securing the stem socket inadjusted position.

The casing 53 can be formed of any desired material; it can be cast,stamped, or formed of plastics; and includes a vacuum chamber 56 inwhich a needle valve and other suction control mechanism is mounted, aresilient diaphragm 51 (preferably formed of soft rubber) beinginterposed between the flange 52 and the rib 58 provided in said casingand is provided with a port 59 therein. A centrally disposed opening 60is provided in the valve lever 6|, and lugs 62 are provided in thecasing 53, the lever 6| being pivotally connected thereto by means ofthe pin 63.

A boss 64 is cast integral with the casing 53, and a cored passage 65leads therethrough and opens into the vacuum chamber 56, the lower endof the boss being internally threaded to accommodate a fitting 66, oneend of which is connected to a vehicle engine (not shown), or othersuitable suction means, the opposite end communicating with the coredpassage 65 which opens into the vacuum chamber 56.

The pressure line can be controlled in any approved manner, and in thepresent instance I provide a needle valve 6'! which is mounted on thelower end of the lever 6|, this valve controlling the suction line 65 aswill be hereinafter described.

The back plate 68 of the casing 53 has a cored tubular section 69 castintegral therewith, the outer end of said tubular section being threadedas shown to accommodate the cap 10 which is provided with an opening Hin the end wall thereof. A plug 12 is mounted in the section 69 and isformed with a head 13 which forms a closure for the opening II, and aspring 15 is interposed between the end of the section and the end ofthe cap for forcing the head of the plug against the end wall of the capto close the opening until the vacuum in the chamber overcomes thespring 15, thus admitting air to the chamber 56 and regulating thepressure accordingly, the shank of the plug 12 being preferably squareto permit the passage of air to the vacuum chamber.

The tubular section 69 also extends inwardly as shown and a spring 16 isprovided therein, one end bearing against the lever 6| to force theneedle valve to close the port in the pressure line, the opposite endbutting against the shoulder 11 provided in the section 69, thus tendingto seat the needle valve and close the suction line when the device isnot in use.

In practice the driver places his pipe P in the holder l2, moving itlongitudinally so that the mouthpiece enters the stem socket 5|,automatically forcing the resilient diaphragm 51 against the lever 6|and swinging the needle valve 61 away from its seat, thus establishingcommunication with the suction line 65, simultaneously the bowl of thepipe is forced between the clips l4 and I5 to swing the arm 24 androtate the latch 25, thus releasing the jaw 29, and the spring 36 swingsthe cap to position as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawing.

Movement of the cap 21 swings the shell 48 away from the wick, and thedog 45 which is in engagement with the ratchet wheel, rotates the wheel43 which engages the flint 39, thus igniting the wick 32, and suctionfrom the line 65 creates a vacuum in the chamber 56 to draw the flamelaterally into the bowl of the pipe until such time as the tobacco isthoroughly ignited; the pipe is then withdrawn and the smoker places afinger against the lip 41, and swings the cap 2'! back to originalposition; the shell 48 swinging over the end of the wick to smother theflame and form a seal against excess evaporation of fuel, and the latch25 engages the jaw 29 to secure the cap in locked position.

As the pipe stem is withdrawn from the socket 5|, the diaphragm 5'! isretracted, and the lever 6| is forced inwardly by the spring 16 so thatthe needle valve 6! closes the suction line, cutting ofi communicationwith the suction means.

To compensate for pipes having bowls of different height, I provide aslotted opening (not shown) for the screw 2| which permits the housingto be adjusted to suit.

It will, of course, be obvious that other valve or stopper means may besubstituted for the needle Valve, and that the holder proper can be madeso that the pipe may be inserted vertically without departing from thescope. of the invention.

From the foregoing descriptiomit will be obvious that I have perfected avery simple, practical, and inexpensive pipe lighter-for use inconnection with automotive vehicles and the like, and which requires butone hand to placethe. pipe in posi tion for lighting.

What I claim is:

1. A pipe lighter embodying a holder adapted to accommodate a pipe andincluding an ignition means actuated by the insertion of the pipe bowlin said holder, a vacuum chamber forming a part of said holder andincluding yieldable means adapted to receive and form a seal for the endof the pipe stem, and an automatically controlled suction linecommunicating with the chamber and connected to a suction means.

2. A pipe lighter embodying a holder adapted to accommodate a pipe andincluding an ignition means actuated by the insertion of the pipe bowlin said holder, a vacuum chamber forming a part of said holder andincluding resilient means adapted to receive and form a seal for the endof the pipe stem, a suction line communicating with the chamber andconnected to a suction means, and a valve controlling said suction lineand adapted to be actuated by the insertion of the pipe in the holder.

3. A pipe holder and lighter comprising a holder including an ignitionmechanism automatically actuated by the insertion of the pipe in theholder, a vacuum chamber forming a part of the holder and including aresilient diaphragm adapted to accommodate and seal the mouthpiece of apipe, a suction line connected to said chamber, and a valve in saidchamber and normally forming a closure for said suction line, said valvebeing also forced to open position by the insertion of the pipe in theholder.

4. A pipe lighter embodying a holder adapted to accommodate a pipe, andincluding an ignition means automatically actuated by the insertion ofthe pipe bowl in said holder; means forming a seal for the end of thepipe stem and including a vacuum chamber, a suction line communicatingwith said chamber and connected to a suction mechanism, and means foradjusting the vacuum pressure in said chamber.

5. A pipe lighter comprising a holder, a wick, ignition means in theholder and adapted to be automatically actuated by the insertion of apipe to ignite said wick, a vacuum chamber on one end of the holder,resilient means associated therewith and having a centrally disposedport in alignment with the opening in the pipe stem, a suction linecommunicating with said chamber, a valve mounted therein and controllingsaid suction line, said valve being automatically swung to open positionwhen the pipe is inserted in the holder.

6. A pipe lighter comprising a holder, a wick, an ignition means mountedtherein and adapted to be automatically actuated to ignite said wickwhen the pipe is inserted in the holder, a longitudinally adjustablecone-shaped stem receiver mounted on the one end of the holder andincluding a vacuum chamber, a flexible member in said chamber andprovided with a centrally disposed opening therein, said member forminga seal for the end of the pipe stem, a suction line connected to saidchamber, a valve mounted therein and normally forming a closure for thesuction line, said valve being automatically swung. to open. positionwhen the stem is inserted in the holder to establish communication withthe pipe.

7. A pipe lighter of the class described and comprising a holderincluding a housing, a wick, an ignition means mounted in said housingand adapted to be actuated by the insertion of the pipe in the holder toignite said Wick, a vacuum chamber mounted on one end of the holder andadjustable longitudinally thereon, a flexible stem receiving diaphragmin said chamber and provided with an opening therein, a suction lineconnected to said chamber, a valve mounted therein and controlling saidsuction line, said valve being moved to open position to establishcommunication with the bowl of the pipe when the pipe is inserted in theholder, and adjustable means for regulating the vacuum in said chamber.

8. A pipe holder and lighter of the class described comprising a holderincluding a housing having a fuel chamber, a wick, a flint adjacent saidWick, rotatable means adjacent the exposed end of the wick and adaptedto be automatically actuated by the insertion of a pipe to ignite saidwick, a longitudinally adjustable stem holder including a vacuum chamberforming a part of said holder, resilient means associated therewith andforming a seal for the mouthpiece of the pipe, a vacuum linecommunicating with said chamber, and a normally closed valve controllingsaid line and adapted to be actuated by the insertion of the pipe in theholder.

9. A pipe holder and l'ghter of the character described comprising aholder including a housing having a fuel chamber, a wick extendingthereinto with one end exposed, a flint adjacent the exposed end of thewick, a cap pivotally mounted in said housing and adapted to be actuatedby the insertion of the pipe in the holder, and means carried by saidhousing and engageable with said flint for igniting the wick when thecap is actuated, stem receiving means on the opposite end of the holderand including a resilient member adapted to form a seal for the end ofthe pipe stem, a vacuum chamber associated therewith, a suction meanscommunicating with said chamber, said suction means "being automaticallyplaced in communication with the pipe when said pipe stem is inserted inthe holder.

10. A pipe holder and lighter of the class described comprising a holderincluding a housing having a normally locked, spring actuated, movablecap section pivotally mounted therein; a fuel chamber in the housing, awick extending thereinto with its one end exposed, a flint mounted inthe housing adjacent the free end of the wick, means mounted on saidhousing and engagable with said flint for igniting said wick when themovable section is actuated, a leg mounted on the housing and adapted torelease said cap when a pipe is inserted in the holder, a longitudinallyadjustable vacuum chamber mounted on one end of the holder, a suctionline connected thereto, and means for automatically opening said suctionline when the pipe is inserted in the holder.

11. A pipe holder and lighter embodying a holder adapted to accommodatea pipe and including a housing having a cap rotatably journaled thereinand adapted to be actuated by the insertion of the pipe in the holder, awick in said housing, a flint adjacent thereto, means mounted on saidhousing and engageable with.

said flint for igniting saidwick' when the pipe is inserted in theholder, and a vacuum chamber on the one end of the holder, a suctionline connected thereto, and means automatically actuated by theinsertion of the pipe in the holder for controlling said suction line.

12. A pipe holder and lighter embodying a holder having a housingmounted on one end thereof, a fuel chamber in said housing, a wickleading from said chamber, a flint adjustably mounted in the housingadjacent said wick, a rotatable cap journaled in said housing, a wheelengageable with said flint for igniting said wick when the cap isrotated, a shell mounted on said cap and normally forming a cover forthe exposed end of the wick, a suction means on the opposite end of theholder and adjustable longitudinally thereon as a unit, said meanscomprising a cone-shaped member to be adapted to accommodate the end ofthe pipe stem, a vacuum chamber, a resilient member mounted therein andforming a seal for the end of a pipe stem; a suction line connected tosaid chamber,

tion when the pipe is inserted, and means for adjusting the pressure insaid chamber.

13. A pipe holder and lighter of the character described comprising aholder including a housing, an ignitable wick in the housing, a flint, arotatable cap section joumaled in the housing, means on the housing forengaging said flint when said section is actuated, a depending leg onsaid housing and adapted to be actuated when the pipe is inserted in theholder for igniting said Wick, a vacuum chamber adjustably mounted onthe one end of the holder and connected to a suction means, a resilientmember in the vacuum chamber and forming a seal for the pipe stem, saidpipe automatically opening said suction line when the stem is placed inposition in the holder.

FRANKLIN E. TERRILL.

